I Love TelevisionMatt Seinberg

When I was a kid, I watched television. Maybe,
I watched too much television. I don't know, but I enjoyed watching
television.

I remember "I Dream Of Jeannie," "Gilligan's
Island," "Green Acres," "Beverly Hillbillies," "Petticoat
Junction," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Mayberry RFD" and "F-Troop."
Fred Silverman cancelled many of these shows, in the early 1970s.
He wanted to develop more urban content for CBS. Of course, there
was "Star Trek," the smartest decision NBC made, every.

I discovered television at an early age. It
was when we moved from Jackson Heights, Queens, to Poughkeepsie, in
Dutchess County, New York. I was in the second grade, about 7 years
old.

Television was still mostly black-and-white.
We had two television sets in our home. One was in our finished
basement, the other in the dining room. I spent too much time in
front of those one eyed monsters.

I had my favourite spot, in the dining room,
to watch television. It was up against the buffet, with a pillow,
and about two or three feet from the television. The television was
only a 19" by the way, not a big console or high definition as we
have now.

In the basement, my spot was on the couch,
usually with my pet hamster, asleep on my chest. My mother hated
cats and dogs, but that's another story.

It's the stupid, little details you remember
when you put pen to paper. A flood of memories comes gushing
through your memory dam. Some memories are good, some not so good.

Remember the outfit that Barbara Eden wore in
"I Dream of Jeannie?" Barbara Eden, as "Jennie," didn't show much
skin. Her belly button covered by order of the NBC censors! Still,
for a young boy it was fun to imagine what was underneath.

"Star Trek" debuted, on NBC, in 1968. This
made 1968 a historic year. Instantly, "Star Trek" hooked me. I
loved the continuing adventures of the "Starship Enterprise" and
her crew, which everyone should know by now. To this day, I am
still a "Star Trek" fan.

When I was in junior high school, I was the
"Star Trek" trivia expert. All my friends knew it: "Don't get Matt
started," they'd whisper. You could ask me any question about that
show; I always knew the answer.

Now, I watch much less television. Age,
responsibilities and most other grey matter clutter has taken over.
I know about the current television series. I know who's on what
show or in what movie. I know the movies. I own all the movies on
VHS and DVD. I have more books than I can count.

My concern is I cannot remember many of the
trivial details. I wonder if this is good. I'm not sure.

My wife and daughters don't like "Star Trek."
I'm alone, at home, with that interest. My nine-year-old daughter,
Melissa, did watch the new "Star Trek" movie with me and enjoyed
all the action, even if she didn't understand the storyline. This I
know is good.

What started me writing this column was
watching the television show "Castle" on ABC-TV. The show revolves
two characters: "Richard Castle," a writer, portrayed by Nathan
Fillion, and Detective Kate Beckett, portrayed by Stana Katic. As
for all good cat and mouse, that is, female and male, television
teams, Castle and Beckett are secretly and madly in love.

Do you recall "Scarecrow and Mrs. King,"
"Remington Steele" or "Moonlighting"? Each show involved a cat and
mouse detective team, of one sort or another, secretly in love with
each other. Admitting their love was tantamount to canceling the
show because the underlying friction and fiction, which made the
show work, evaporates.

I hope the producers, of "Castle," don't hook
up its cat and mouse team. The show is good. I enjoy it, but let me
know when they're about to go public, with their lust or love, and
I'll find a new favourite show.

Matt Seinberg lives on Long Island, a few minutes east of New York City. He looks at everything around him and notices much. Somewhat less cynical than dyed in the wool New Yorkers, Seinberg believes those who don't see what he does
like reading about what he sees and what it means to him. Seinberg columns revel in the silly little things of life and laughter as well as much well-directed anger at inept, foolish public officials. Mostly, Seinberg writes for those who laugh easily at their own foibles as well as those of others.